How to maintain your flat roof

Flat roofs have long been a popular choice for homeowners in the UK. As well as being easy to install, they’re usually highly affordable. However, maintenance is often a key concern with this type of roof. Flat roofs tend to collect large amounts of debris which can put a lot of pressure on them. This can potentially lead to leaks and other damage over time. Read on to find out how to maintain your flat roof. 

4 flat roof maintenance tips 

Flat roofs can be a great option for your property. However, extreme weather conditions such as rain, snow and strong winds can have a serious impact on them. This is more likely to be the case if they’re old or haven’t been installed properly. To avoid problems with your flat roof, it’s important to carry out ongoing maintenance. This will help to keep it looking and performing its best and help you avoid costly flat roof repairs in the future. Keep reading for our top tips on how to maintain your flat roof.

Clear debris from your roof regularly

Piles of leaves, twigs and other debris can collect on a flat roof, especially during strong winds. This debris can place extra pressure on the roof over time and possibly lead to water damage such as leaks. With this in mind, it’s important to remove it regularly. You can do this using a soft broom or even a leaf blower or power washer. 

You can limit the debris that gathers on your flat roof by trimming any overhanging trees. We advise hiring an arborist to perform this task rather than doing it yourself. This is because it can be a very dangerous job if you lack the required expertise.

Make sure your drains are clear

As well as clearing the flat roof itself, you should also ensure that the gutters and drains that connect to the roof are clear of debris. This will allow water to run freely from the roof during heavy rainfall. If it’s not allowed to do this due to the drains being blocked, pools of water could form on the roof, which could potentially lead to leaks. You don’t want water to sit on top of a flat roof for too long at all due to the damage it can cause. 

Inspect your roof bi-annually

You should be inspecting your flat roof regularly, ideally twice a year. Since winter is when a flat roof is most likely to suffer damage, we recommend checking it at the end of autumn and again at the start of spring. Inspecting your roof at the end of autumn will ensure that it is wind and watertight before the cold and wet weather arrives. Checking it in spring will allow you to identify any damage sustained during winter and fix it as quickly as possible. At Raven Roofing and Repairs, we’re on hand to inspect your flat roof, checking for any signs of damage to the structure.

Avoid adding unnecessary weight or stress 

Whilst flat roofs might seem sturdy, they can actually be quite delicate. They can’t handle too much extra weight being placed upon them. With this in mind, it’s important to avoid piling supplies or equipment on top of the roof. A flat roof isn’t engineered to carry loads other than rain and snow. This means that damage could easily occur if you use it to store anything else. You should avoid walking on your flat roof too. Although less precarious than a pitched roof, you still run the risk of causing damage to the felt and potentially going through the membrane.

Can my flat roof be repaired?

With regular maintenance, your flat roof will stay in optimal condition for longer. However, eventually, damage may occur, ranging from cracking and blistering to serious leaks and other moisture issues. Flat roofs that have sustained minor damage can sometimes be fixed. Small leaks, water ponding, wind damage and top coating damage can usually be repaired quite easily. Although you can do this yourself with some DIY knowledge, we would recommend hiring an experienced roofing contractor to carry out the work. 

Unfortunately, in some cases, a flat roof will replacing altogether. This is often the case if the damage is excessive or if the roof materials have reached the end of their lifespan. The lifespan of a flat roof can vary from five years for an asphalt roof to 50 for a roof with a high-quality EPDM rubber membrane. Flat roofs that haven’t been installed properly are also likely to need replacing more quickly. Signs of an improper installation include water pooling, sagging and damaged flashing. To ensure that your flat roof is installed correctly, it’s vital that you hire a reputable roofing firm in Louth. Take your time to ensure you choose experienced roofers near you.

Flat roofs in Louth

At Raven Roofing and Repairs, we regularly install, repair and maintain flat roofs in Louth. Our team of roofing specialists are on hand to inspect your roof and identify any problems with it. We will let you know if we can repair the damage or if a roof replacement is necessary. You can rest assured that we provide a professional and trustworthy service here at Raven Roofing, always offering the best, most cost-effective solution. Our prices are highly competitive too, making our services accessible to customers with various budgets.

Contact us 

Whether you need us to inspect, repair or install a flat roof in Louth, get in touch. You can reach us by calling 01507 640 072 or by sending us a message via our website. One of our friendly team is on hand to discuss your roofing requirements, provide you with a competitive quote or advise you on how to maintain your flat roof.